Tru2u Glamour

Get to know your skin!

Hey Everyone!

My name is Beth as some of you may know and I help at the reception and assist at Tru2u Glamour. I am teenager and understand the struggles of hormonal acne and pimples. It honestly sucks so I’m going to start blogging to help fellow teenagers, young adults or who ever my blogs help with 🙂

My first tip – Know your skin

If you’re breaking out, red or dry the first step to treating it, is knowing your skin type. Here as some indicators so to find out what skin you have;

If your skin feels tight your skin is likely to be on the dry side.
If there is noticeable shine on your nose and forehead your skin is most likely normal/combination.
If there is shine on your cheeks in addition to the nose and forehead, most likely you have an oily skin

If you are still not sure wash your skin with cleanser and then leave for approximately an hour. Take a tissue and dab forehead and nose with tissue and check if any oil is on tissue.

There are four Basic skin types: Normal, Dry , combination and Oily

Normal: is a well-balanced skin and easy to maintain a good-looking skin. Normal skin type is neither oily nor dry, smooth in texture, healthy glow, fine pores, no visible blemishes, this does not mean you will not get the odd blemishes from time to time. No greasy patches or flakiness.

Dry skin: often has dead skin cells accumulated in patches on the skin surface, humidity, temperature changes, using soaps, chemical ingredients and skin conditions can cause dry skin conditions, working conditions also play a big part in drying your skin. As we age our skin will tend to dry out and needs extra care. Dry skin needs to be cared for especially if you are on the dryer side and younger age group. There are different levels of dryness and often a good moisturizer is all someone needs. If extremely dry you need to be careful, not using harsh products that will dry your skin out further.

Combination skin: can be a little harder to care for you have an oilier t-zone, down forehead, nose and chin, skin is drier on cheeks and skin appears shinny and as the day progresses your skin gets greasier. When wearing makeup one of the most common complaints is it tends to slide off the face during the day. Often problems of a combination skin are often blackheads.

Oily skin: can be a real hassle and needs to be cared for carefully. The sebaceous glands in the skin makes too much sebum. Sebum is the waxy, oily substance that protects and hydrates your skin. However to much sebum causes an oily skin and you find problems such as, clogged pores, pimples, acne, blackheads, dull complexion.

Another skin type is Sensitive

Sensitive: skin types need to be very careful when using products on your skin and gentle when treating your skin. Skin disorders or allergic reactions such as eczema, rosacea or allergic contact dermatitis. Over dry or injured skin that can no longer protect nerve endings, leading to skin reactions.

Hope this helped, I will be putting up blogs more about dealing with skin as a teenager and just general tips. Stay safe and inside during this time and make sure to wash your hands 😉

How to rid yourself of open pores

How to rid yourself of open pores

l thought l would put an article on my blog as l have had several people ask me lately about open pores. l have many great recipes and will give you a few to trial. Please let me know what you are after and l will add it to the blog at a later date. Often people suffer from open pores, particularly around the nose area. We often notice our pores as we get older, as they open more with age. Here are a few natural remedies you can try.

1. Tea tree oil is a powerful acne fighter that kills off bacteria that can also be good for shrinking the size of pores. Regular use of tea tree oil has shown to be a great remedy for decreasing pore size and maintaining a smoother clearer complexion.

Mix 1 cup of water

3 drops of tea tree oil

It is best to place in a small spray bottle.

This is sprayed on effected areas 3-4 times a day.

Baking Soda Toner

This helps remove dead skin cells and helps to shrink open pores.

Place one bowl of warm water

2 tablespoons baking soda

Use a cotton wool pad and apply over area, keep remainder and use 2-4 times a day

Rose Water

Rose water is a natural antiseptic

1 Oz water

Rest rose water

Mix and place in a small bottle .

Use regularly and make sure you keep up using a scrub regularly this will help.

Tomato cleanse

Slice a tomato and rub gently over your nose area

leave on your nose for 2-3 minutes before removing with warm water.

Tomato opens pores, which makes them more receptive to cleansing.

Wash face to remove all traces of tomato.

Cleanse your skin as usual, making sure to use a toner.

This is just a few ideas that will not be costly and are natural, it is important to keep skin clean and make sure it is well balanced.

Thanks Michelle

Recipes that are good for your skin!

Recipes that are good for your skin!

Several of you have asked for some quick simple recipes to revive your skin. All these ingredients are easily accessible and often ones you already have in your fridge or pantry.

Most of us need 7 – 8 hours sleep night. Lack of sleep not only affects your energy levels, making you feel lethargic and suffer loss of concentration. The skin also shows signs of tiredness such as dull complexion, dark circles under your eyes and dryness. Instead of cucumbers placed on your eyes to relax and revive them, try avocado for a change.

During the day our skin is busy working hard to defend itself against external aggressors, including pollution and free radicals. While at night it works hard to repair damage that has been caused throughout the day, rejuvenation and replacing older cells with new ones.

If you do wake up feeling tired and you have had plenty of sleep, this can be a sign of sluggish liver. The liver is one of the body’s organs that remove toxins. Try having a green vegetable juice to help cleanse the liver and alkalize your system.

Regular use of a cucumber face mask can help prevent pimples, blackheads and skin dryness and, yes, also have a cooling effect on the eyes. It can also help reduce puffiness under the eyes. Grate or blend a whole cucumber and apply to the face and neck, including the eye area, and leave on for 15 – 20 minutes. Best to lie down and relax until the time is up and then remove the mask.

Hands also need a lot of attention as they are always in detergents, in the sun while driving and being washed throughout the day which contributes to drying them out. We want strong nails and soft hands. So mix four tablespoons of olive oil with one tablespoon of sugar. Gently rub the mixture into hands and nails and leave on 5 -10 minutes. If you have time, leave on your hands overnight. Place a pair of cotton gloves on and remove them in the morning – the results will be amazing, leaving you with soft supple hands.

When it’s time for a body scrub, we all need to rejuvenate our body, especially after swimming, sun exposure and wind exposure, use the following recipe. Place a handful sugar to a handful salt with a squeeze of lemon juice, together with a good dose of extra virgin oil, enough to mix all the ingredients. Place on your skin working gently towards the heart, always before a shower or bath.

The combination of salt water, sun and humidity can leave your hair dry, frizzy and out of control. Our diet plays a big part in the condition of our hair. A lack of essential nutrients can make your hair look dull and out of condition. To keep hair shiny, strong and controllable, place a handful of oil on damp hair. l use coconut oil and have used virgin oil. Place the oil in the middle of the hair down to the ends. Wrap the hair up and leave it for approximately 1 hour and then shampoo out. l have left the oil on overnight, put a towel over the pillow to protect it and then shampoo it off in the morning.

It is best to use a face mask before or after taking a bath, not during. The skin needs to be treated with respect and looked after, so be gentle and do not pull the skin while applying the mask. The following recipe will provide you with a refreshing, relaxing face mask.

Mix 1 tablespoon of almond oil, 2 tablespoons of whole milk and 1 tablespoon of honey and apply to the face. Lie down and leave on for 10 – 20 minutes. This is great for a dry skin.

The skin thickens on the pressure points of your feet especially your heels. When the weather is dry we can often suffer from dry painful cracks on our feet. Make sure you remove dead skin on bottom of feet regularly especially in summer when your feet are on display. Many men don’t think about heels of feet and they too need to make sure they look after them. If you are at the beach this is a great time to walk without shoes on the sand for a great natural exfoliation.

Otherwise, a great foot exfoliant can be made as follows. Use one avocado, ½ teaspoon honey and 1 teaspoon very finely chopped almonds. Mash the avocado and place it in the honey with the almonds. Mix and then apply to the feet massaging in for a few minutes, before removing with warm water.

What age should you start to use Eye Cream?

What age should you start to use Eye Cream?

I often get asked this question. Many people are not sure, leaving eye cream as one of the last items they add to a daily skincare regime. It often shocks me when clients tell me that they have never thought about using an eye cream, and yet they are fastidious about looking after their skin. Yet, for others Eye Cream is a top priority, being used morning and evening.

I believe we should start using an eye cream in our late 20’s because this is about the age the skin around our eyes starts to degenerate. Of course we are all different and many factors come into play that contribute to some of us feeling we need an eye cream even earlier. Several factors impact on the need to use an Eye Cream, such as:

Working conditions
If we wear sunglasses to protect our eyes
How we treat our eye area. Because the eye area is very delicate it needs to be treated gently, without tugging, pulling or dragging
Smoking
Harsh weather conditions
Ultra violet rays, to name but a few

Skin around the eye area is a lot thinner and is therefore more delicate and vulnerable making it more susceptible to ageing. The eye area is having a workout every time you move your eyes, squint, smile or laugh. Our eyes are having the tiny muscles working overtime. The eye area also does not contain oil glands that help keep the skin moist. These are the reasons that many professionals suggest using an eye cream.

One day you look in the mirror and notice your eye area is starting to show signs of ageing. So okay, it’s now time to add that eye treatment to your regime. Many say that you won’t get rid of lines you already have using an eye cream, but believe it certainly helps keeping them look younger. I know people that have used eye cream at a very young age and have no wrinkles around the eye area, or at worst very few. That is why l suggest using an eye cream at a younger age, prevention is always better than cure!

Make sure when applying an eye cream that you use your ring finger (you will use less pressure). Only use a small amount and gently apply and massage in a circular motion. This will stimulate the blood flow. Do not use pressure around the eye area.

l prefer to use an eye cream once a day, at night. Often, if using an eye cream during the day it can seep into your eyes, especially in hot weather. Eye cream does not have to go right up to the eyelashes, it is best to pat along the orbital bone under the eye area. If you are not sure what l mean by the orbital bone, this is the bone you will feel above your cheek under your eye area.

To apply eye cream, start underneath the eye, above your cheekbone and just under the tear duct. This is the area closest to your nose. Gently dot the cream and work your way from the inside bottom lid to the outside bottom corner. Continue with a dotting motion and apply the eye cream along the length of the top eyelid. Make sure you touch on the eyelid itself, the crease line of the eyelid and the area underneath your eyebrow, known as the brow bone area. Pay special attention to any deep lines, massaging gently.

Hope this has been helpful and please leave your comments below. Look for my next blog which will give you some eye exercises to help prevent wrinkles and crow’s feet around the eye area.

Makeup Tips

We all like using make-up, some people wearing it every day, others just for special occasions. Whatever the reason, or how often we wear make-up, it’s always fun to try different things. Often we find ourselves doing the same thing every day, never trying new styles. Well it’s time to play and update your look. Maybe a new lipstick, or colours you have never thought of wearing, can spice things up. How do you know what suits you unless you try?

Have a few friends over for a drink or two and get them to bring their makeup bags. You can all swap colours or have someone else do your make-up. You never know, you may like it. Make sure you have the drinks after or you may not like the new look!

Here are a few handy hints:

If you have trouble applying eyeliner: Hold a mirror in one hand; place your elbow on the table or bench to balance your hand. Apply eyeliner in short movements, it does not have to be applied in one movement. If your eyes start to water, stop for a few minutes and then continue. The more often you apply eyeliner the less you will find your eyes water and the better you will become at applying it.
If you have forgotten your blush or notice you are looking paler than usual, you can use your lipstick as a blush. Run your fingers over the lipstick and lightly pinch your cheeks. This will add a little colour and looks natural.
Having problems with your mascara:
- It’s sometimes hard to find the perfect mascara. l often hear complaints of mascara clumping when enough is being applied to get the desired length. To stop this happening, apply enough mascara to cover lashes and then use a disposable brush (available at chemists and on eBay) to lengthen the lashes rather than applying too much mascara. When you have the desired length, apply a little more mascara. When you put too much mascara on lashes they often stick together. Using the disposable brush helps separate and lengthen them and you can apply mascara to darken or thicken for your desired look.
- If your mascara is drying out quickly, make sure you don’t pump the mascara. This will allow too much air in the mascara and cause it to dry out quickly. Replace your mascara regularly. If you start to notice any eye irritations, this can often mean your mascara is getting old. Never lend mascara to others to prevent cross contamination.
Clean make-up regularly. Wipe over lipsticks, eye shadows, liners, everything in your makeup bag or case, along with your brushes on a regular basis.
- All the makeup we have in our handbag, bathroom or drawers will be contaminated with germs, so always give a quick wipe before use just to make sure you don’t make yourselves sick.
- Throw old makeup out. Don’t have it hanging around in cupboards or draws for years because it does go out of date. Brushes should be washed regularly with a brush cleaner, or shampoo, to remove build up of product and keep them clean.
Have lipsticks that you no longer like, or have just simply out grown the colours, place them in a small bowl, mix the colours and make your own fun colour. This works too if you have broken your favourite lipstick. Place it in a little lip container (available at chemists, reject shops and eBay) and apply with a lip brush. This way you don’t have to throw it away or try using it from a broken container.
Broken eye shadows/blushes:
- Don’t throw them away or try using them. They will end up going all over your clothes (you know we have all done it). Crush it up and add a capful of rubbing alcohol. The alcohol will evaporate over night, leaving your eye shadow or blush whole again.
- Why not have a play with those eye shadows you no longer wear and make your own colours. Alcohol rub is available at some supermarkets and chemists.
Want to open up your eyes: – Apply a little cream, white or a light shade of eye shadow under the brow area. This will open your eyes up making you look awake, bright and younger. Adding a hint of a golden eye shadow in the centre of the eyelid will give an instant illumination effect this will add dimension to every shape and colour eyes.
How to keep Eye shadow on: – A lot of people have trouble with eye shadow not lasting for long before it looks as if they are not wearing any at all. Try placing foundation over your eye lids. This will help eye shadow last longer. This also helps when blending your eye shadow making it easier.
How to use pop colours: – This is often placed in the centre of your eye to make your eyes stand out. Choose a colour that is bright, a colour you may not ever think of using. Have fun experimenting with colours. You’ll be surprised what results you can get if you think outside the square. Colours can be blended to just the perfect tone. Have a look at what you are wearing and choose a colour that you have on as your pop colour.

Remove all make-up, dirt and grime from skin before retiring to bed. This is extremely important and your skin should always be cleaned no matter how tired you are. It is a must to keep your skin fresh and clean.

Dry Brushing

We don’t hear a lot about dry brushing anymore. Some people may never have even heard of dry brushing, and yet it is a great, inexpensive, relaxing, stimulating, quick treatment that can be done in the privacy of your own home.

The benefits of dry brushing are endless; it is stimulating, helping make your skin glow as it removes dead layers of skin and encourages new skin to regenerate. Dry brushing also plays a vital role in ridding the body of toxins and impurities. Dry brushing is one of the best techniques to open up the pores of the skin and to stimulate and detoxify the lymphatic system. Have you ever looked at your arms and legs, after lying out in the sun, spending time in the wind or harsh weather conditions? Our skin dries out, leaving it looking dull, dry and old looking. Body brushing helps to remove dead dry skin, bring back a glow to your skin and helps moisture penetrate into your skin helping it to look and feel healthier.

When the brush is used lightly over your skin, it is not only relaxing on the skin; the brushing of bristles will also have a beneficial effect on areas of cellulite. Body brushing is an effective treatment for helping eliminating toxins from the body. Brushing helps increase blood supply to the area bringing with it nourishment and oxygen.

It is a very relaxing treatment, the stimulating effect on your body, helping rejuvenate your skin, making your skin feel refreshed. Dry brushing was popular years ago; Salons would charge high prices to offer this treatment. I went away with my husband to a retreat, where we both had a package which included body brushing. I had forgotten how good you feel afterwards, your body tingles after your treatment, with the brush run gently, slowly over your body. I enjoyed the treatment and decided, it was time to buy my own brush, so l could have this treatment once a week in the privacy of my own home. It took a few trials to find the right brush, that wasn’t going to cost a fortune, easy to handle, with the right bristles.

What to look for:

Natural bristles. This is important as we want to use a brush that is not going to scratch the skin, a gentle brush.
Hand held brush; many brushes have handles that are too long. A brush should be comfortable to hold in your hand, without feeling as if it would slip.
They do sell brushes that have massage balls in the centre. Some clients find these are a good one to use. I prefer the brush without the massage balls, though both are good.
It is good if you find a brush that has a strap. It is easy to use and have a good grip making it less likely to slip.
A long handle brush can reach those hard to reach areas, so many people prefer to use a long handle brush. Whatever suits you and is easy to use.
Costs of brushes differ. l paid $9.95 for mine so just look around for one you are happy with, you don’t have to spend a fortune.

How to dry brush

The body should be dry and the brush should pass once over every part of your body. The best time to do skin brushing is before showering or bathing, at least once a day. If you try body brushing on wet skin it will not have the same effect because this stretches the skin. The skin should not become red. If it does, you are probably brushing too hard.

Do not brush back and forth. The brushing should generally be done towards the abdomen.

Start at the soles of your feet, because the nerve endings there affect your whole body.
Then your hands and up your arms to the armpits.
Then brush upwards on your buttocks.
Brush down the neck, chest and trunk.
Brush your abdomen towards the centre.
Brush the breasts very lightly, avoiding the nipples
Always brush towards the heart.
Do not brush the face.
Do not be too hard with your brushing. Remember to be gentle when you first start and more vigorous when you are more confident in using your brush. Less is best when you first start.
Now it is time to shower or bath with warm water followed by a cool rinse to invigorate blood circulation and stimulate.

Benefits of dry brushing:

Helps digestion
Stimulates circulation
Strengthens the immune system
Increase cell renewal
Cleans toxins from the lymphatic system
Stimulates the lymphatic system
Improves the look of your skin giving it a healthier look
Relaxes
Because toxins are eliminated from your body you feel healthier
Tightens the skin
Removes cellulite
Improves exchange between cells

Stress Less

Why is it essential to relax?

We need to relax both our bodies and minds. With everyday stressors building up, such as financial pressures, family, relationships and the list goes on. Is it any wonder we need to relax and unwind on a regular basis? We often neglect to take time out to deal with the tension of daily life. If we allow this to build up over a period of time it starts to take its toll, not only in the way you deal with daily activities, but it will also start to take its toll on family, work, sleeping patterns, eating habits and relationships. Even the smallest of tasks becomes a chore. The build up of stress needs to be dealt with and you need to regularly step away and revitalize your body and mind.

When we allow stress to build up we start to suffer:

Mood swings
Depression
Anxiety

The longer we allow this to happen the more effect it will have on our body and mind. Everything that was once so easy to deal with becomes a challenge, leaving you feeling as if everything is building up and you just physically can’t cope any longer. Many people start to suffer physical symptoms such as:

Headaches
Stomach problems
Illness
Insomnia
Migraines
Eating disorders

When you start to feel overwhelmed or that things are starting to build up, this is your first sign that it’s time for you to take time out.

Go for a walk along the beach, through the bush, somewhere away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Somewhere quiet where you have time to think and enjoy some serenity.

Take time out just for you, doing an activity you enjoy and one which relaxes you.

Go for a massage. This will help relax your body and mind, helping to get rid of tension that has built up in your body, relaxing your muscles.

Sunlight always makes you feel happy and is essential for the production of vitamin D, a vitamin that many people lack.

Go to see a movie, catch up with a friend, have a facial, go shopping or do whatever it is that you enjoy and helps you relax.

To be healthy, our body and mind needs:

Sunshine
Laughter
Water
Air
Good relationships
Healthy eating
Less stress

Fine Lines and Wrinkles

As the skin ages it loses elasticity and gets drier, which we all know results in those dreaded fine lines and wrinkles. Most people start developing them by the age of 30 to 35. Excessive sun exposure is known to accelerate the aging process.

To combat fine lines and wrinkles, use a gentle exfoliator, such as Placenta Intensive Deep Peeling Gel (an Annagaspi product), hydrate the face with nourishing creams daily, preferably at night with a conditioning cream. Always protect your skin with SPF 15 or higher sunscreen. You can find an array of make-up or BB creams that are geared to minimising the look of aging while still protecting your skin from the sun’s rays.

Try not to use a heavy foundation as this can often age the look of your skin and make the pores look enlarged. Because of our hectic lifestyles these days, make-up or BB cream needs to be long lasting. Using a long-lasting make-up or BB cream can become your best ally.

Be sure to remove make-up every evening before bed and it is always best to double cleanse. I have heard many people over the years say double cleansing is not necessary.
.
Well, l certainly want to make sure my skin is well cleansed before I retire. The first cleanse removes make-up, dirt and grime from the skin, and the second cleanse makes sure your skin is squeaky clean and that any remaining traces of dirt or make-up are removed. This is no different to cleaning your teeth, for example, you brush back and forth making sure all teeth are cleaned and all food is removed and nothing is left behind.

Water and your skin

Did you know

We have all heard over the years that water is extremely beneficial to our well being.

The skin loves water too, so we need to keep ourselves hydrated drinking at least 8 glasses a day.

When the skin is dehydrated it is more likely to show signs of aging.

The skin needs moisture from the inside out, so don’t put a moisturiser on and expect it to do all the work for you.

Keep on drinking that WATER and your skin will not only be hydrated it will look clear and healthy,also help those eyes to sparkle.

Shelly

Remedial Massage

What is Remedial Massage?

When muscles become knotted and tense or damaged, remedial massage provides a healing treatment. Remedial massage holistically treats the body. The massage therapist looks at the body as a whole and endeavours to identify the original biomechanical dysfunction, thus healing the cause of the disorder, as well as the symptoms.

Remedial massage is the umbrella term used for a treatment in which the therapist will use several specialised techniques to locate and repair damage to muscles, tendons and joints. Massage therapy supports and speeds up the body’s own repair mechanisms. A lubricating medium (usually oil) is applied directly on the skin. This ensures that the muscles associated with the disorder are deeply penetrated. Passive joint stretching moves are also used.

Key benefits of Remedial Massage

Key benefits of remedial massage include;

Stimulation to the blood supply allowing toxins in the muscles to be removed
Calming of the peripheral nervous system to ease pain and discomfort
Toning and relaxing of muscles to improve joint mobility.
Aids in the repair of fibrous muscle tissue or adhesions in the muscle
An overall increase in the health of cells and a boost to all the systems in the body giving an overall sense of wellbeing.

An easing of stiffness and tension can also be experienced through therapeutic relaxation.

Muscular and skeletal dysfunctions often addressed with remedial massage include muscle tightness and pain, arthritis, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, whiplash, neck and back pain, scoliosis, headaches and sports injuries. Regular remedial massage treatments will help to maintain healthy muscle tissue, leading to a decrease in pain, stiffness and degeneration of muscular and skeletal function, and an increase in mobility, joint function and improved posture and body awareness.

Alison Payne

Remedial Massage Therapist

Dip. Health Science (Remedial Therapies)

Email: amp.naturaltherapies@gmail.com

FB: www.facebook.com/AlisonPayneremedialmassage